Trojans’ Win Was Specially Designed

The offense performed poorly and the defense was just good enough at the end to keep USC unbeaten.

Fortunately for the Trojans, the special teams were superb against California.

“I can’t remember a game where we did better,” Coach Pete Carroll said Sunday after reviewing film of USC’s 23-17 victory.

Ryan Killeen made all three of his field-goal attempts and his kickoffs went deep or out of the end zone for touchbacks.

Desmond Reed ran down Cal punter David Lonie after a bad snap and forced a fumble that set up USC’s first touchdown.

All-American punter Tom Malone averaged 57 yards a kick, and Eric Wright caused a muffed punt reception that led to a field goal.

And Reggie Bush had an 84-yard kickoff return.

USC utilized all of those plays to produce a victory that kept the Trojans atop the polls Sunday.

But confidence in the Trojans among poll voters is eroding.

USC received a season-low 41 first-place votes in the Associated Press media poll, seven fewer than last week. Second-ranked Oklahoma, which defeated Texas on Saturday, picked up eight first-place votes to give the Sooners a season-high 23.

USC has 1,601 points, Oklahoma 1,582 -- a 19-point differential that is the smallest of the season.

The Trojans lost only one first-place vote in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll. The Trojans got 45, Oklahoma 15 and Miami one.

The first bowl championship series standings will be released Oct. 18.

After defeating previously unbeaten Cal -- which fell one spot to No. 8 in the AP poll -- the Trojans this week play No. 15 Arizona State. The Sun Devils, 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference, were off Saturday but moved up four spots.

Carroll said Sunday he did not anticipate an emotional letdown after the victory over Cal, which outplayed the Trojans for most of the game before USC staged a final defensive stand.

Carroll, however, is concerned about USC’s running game, which has been held under 100 yards two games in a row. Against Cal, sophomore tailback LenDale White gained 52 yards in 11 carries on a day the Trojans produced a season-low 205 total yards and controlled the ball for only 22 minutes 49 seconds.

“We didn’t get the ball enough in LenDale’s hands,” Carroll said.

After the game, offensive coordinator Norm Chow said the Trojans failed to execute and would attempt to fix problems this week.

“I don’t think any of us feels good about the way we played, but you can’t diminish the win, and that’s all that really matters,” Chow said.

USC coaches and players were dismayed by the Trojans’ failure to score more touchdowns from inside the 20-yard line. The Trojans had to settle for field goals twice in the first half and turned the ball over on an interception in the third quarter.

White said the Trojans should score touchdowns every time they are in the red zone.

“We have to go in this week on Monday and get this stuff cleared up,” White said. “We need seven instead of three.”

With flanker Steve Smith expected to be sidelined most of the remainder of the regular season because of a broken leg, Carroll said the Trojans would depend more on freshman wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett.

Jarrett caught four passes for 37 yards against Cal. He had a key fourth-down reception that set up USC’s first touchdown and also caught a 16-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

Chris McFoy will move to Smith’s spot, and Jarrett will start for the first time against Arizona State.

“We’re going to have to go to him more,” Carroll said.